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The *Huangdi Neijing* (Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon) states: The Spleen is the official of deliberation, from which wisdom emerges.
The Spleen is the root of granaries and storehouses, the residence of Ying-Qi (Nutritive Qi); its brilliance manifests in the four whites of the lips, its fleshing occurs in the muscles, it belongs to the category of Supreme Yin, connects with Earth Qi, and as a solitary Zang organ, it irrigates the four directions. The Spleen governs the four limbs and transports fluid substances for the Stomach.
The Central direction corresponds to Yellow, internally connecting to the Spleen, opening into the mouth, storing essence in the Spleen, therefore diseases manifest at the root of the tongue. Its flavor is Sweet, its element is Earth, its animal is the Ox, its grain is Ji (Millet), it corresponds to the four seasons, above it is Zhenxing (Saturn), thus one knows the disease is in the flesh. Its musical note is Gong (Pentatonic scale), its number is Five, its odor is Fragrant, its fluid is Saliva (Xian).
Central generates Dampness, Dampness generates Earth, Earth generates Sweet flavor, Sweet flavor nourishes the Spleen, the Spleen generates flesh, flesh nourishes the Lung, the Lung governs the mouth. In Heaven it is Dampness, on Earth it is Soil, in the body it is Flesh, in the Zang organs it is the Spleen, in sounds it is Song, in abnormal movements it is Hiccups (Yue), in emotions it is Pensive thought (Si). Excessive thinking damages the Spleen, Anger overcomes Thinking. Dampness damages flesh, Wind overcomes Dampness. Sweet flavor damages flesh, Sour flavor overcomes Sweet.

Twenty-one acupoints of the Spleen reside in the Central Plain. Yinbai (SP1) is at the tip of the big toe; Dadu (SP2), Taibai (SP3), and Gongsun (SP4) are abundant; Shangqiu (SP5) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) can be sought here; Lougu (SP7), Diji (SP8), and Yinlingquan (SP9); Xuehai (SP10), Jimen (SP11), and Chongmen (SP12) open; Fushé (SP13), Fujie (SP14), and Daheng (SP15) align; Fu'ai (SP16), Shidou (SP17), and Tianxi (ST16 - *Note: Text says Tianxi but context implies SP channel or nearby, keeping literal translation*) connect; Xiongxiang (ST22), Zhourong (ST23), and Dabao (SP21) follow (Total 42 points on both sides).
This meridian starts at Yinbai and ends at Dabao. Selecting Yinbai, Dadu, Taibai, Shangqiu, and Yinlingquan corresponds to the Jing-Well, Ying-Spring, Shu-Stream, Jing-River, and He-Sea points respectively.
The pulse originates at the tip of the big toe, follows the medial white skin margin of the toe, passes behind the metatarsophalangeal joint (nuclear bone), ascends anterior to the medial malleolus, goes up the medial aspect of the lower leg, follows posterior to the tibia, crosses anterior to the Jueyin (Liver) meridian, ascends along the anterior medial aspect of the knee and thigh, enters the abdomen, connects with the Spleen and links with the Stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, flanks the pharynx, connects with the root of the tongue, and scatters under the tongue; its branch separates from the Stomach, ascends through the diaphragm, and pours into the Heart. This meridian has little blood and much Qi, with Qi and Blood pouring into it during the Si hour (9-11 AM).

The Spleen is the Zang organ of Si-Earth, its pulse is found at the right Guan position. In excess conditions, digestion is normal and skin/flesh is smooth and lustrous; in deficiency conditions, the body is emaciated and the four limbs cannot be lifted. Protruding umbilicus and floating edema are difficult to cure; blue mouth and black lips indicate easy death. To remove disease and ensure life, regulation is appropriate: avoid overeating, reduce overly palatable foods, prevent disasters from dietary irregularity and fatigue, and diligently memorize the corresponding draining methods. For example, using Atractylodis Rhizoma (Baizhu) to strengthen the Spleen and promote digestion requires Qingpi (Tangerine Peel) and Aurantii Fructus (Zhishi); using Ginseng Radix (Renshen) to moderate Earth and harmonize Qi requires Pinellia Tuber (Banxia) and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (Juhong). Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu) clears deficiency heat, assisted by Glycyrrhizae Radix (Gancao) and Cimicifugae Rhizoma (Shengma); Scutellariae Radix (Huangqin) clears fire with sweating, aided by Paeoniae Radix Alba (Shaoyao) and Ligusticum Chuanxiong Rhizoma (Chuanxiong). For Qi deficiency vomiting, use Ginseng Radix and Evodiae Fructus (Wuzhuyu); for Cold-Spleen vomiting, use Illicii Fructus (Dingxiang) and Pinellia Tuber. For diarrhea with cold extremities and no thirst, use Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata (Fuzi) and Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang); for Huoluan (cholera-like syndrome) with vomiting and diarrhea, if not treated, use Piperis Fructus (Hujiao) and Phaseoli Semen (Lvdou). For Cold-Spleen where food is not ground, Pingwei San should add Amomi Fructus (Sharen) and Myristicae Semen (Doukou); for Cold-Stomach where drinks are not digested, add Ginseng Radix and Poria (Fuling) to the base formula. Cyperi Rhizoma (Xiangfu) is slightly cold, combined with Amomi Fructus to digest food and move Qi, excellently calms the fetus; Agarwood (Chenxiang) is slightly warm, together with Pogostemonis Herba (Huoxiang) assists Earth and regulates the Middle Jiao, miraculously eliminates edema. To break blood stasis and eliminate masses, use Spatholobi Caulis (Sanleng) and Curcumae Rhizoma (Ezhu); to remove stasis and relieve pain, use Polygoni Multiflori Caulis (Puhuang) and Trogopteri Dung (Wulingcao). Foeniculi Fructus (Huixiang) treats Huoluan with muscle spasms, jointly assisting Chaenomelis Fructus (Mugua) and Linderae Radix (Wuyao); Cinnamomi Cortex (Rgui) governs Middle Jiao Qi stagnation, supporting Aurantii Fructus (Zhiqiao) and Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens (Shengjiang). For heart/abdominal pain, add Corydalis Rhizoma (Yanhusuo) to Piperis Fructus; for chest fullness and cough/reversal of Qi, stir-fry Galangal Rhizome (Liangjiang) with Cyperi Rhizoma. For abdominal distension due to excess, use Rheum Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang), Talcum (Huashi), Aucklandiae Radix (Houp), and Strychni Semen (Qianniu), plus Aucklandiae Radix, Poria, and purgatives; for abdominal distension due to deficiency, use Ginseng Radix, Poria, Aucklandiae Radix, Aucklandiae Radix, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Realgar (Chensha), Malt (Qu), and Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata. Generally, when stagnation injures Qi, tonification should be combined with guiding out stagnation; Ju Pi Zhi Zhu Wan (Tangerine Peel and Atractylodes Macrocephala Pill) is suitable for modifications. When excessive food causes Stomach congestion, pushing out the old and nurturing the new is key; Badou Beijij Wan (Croton Seed Emergency Pill) cleanses without harm. Sijunzi Tang (Four Gentlemen Decoction) is peaceful and kind, like getting along with people, promoting morality and lightening fame, unknowingly leading to sagehood; Erchen Tang (Two Aged Decoction) is purely harmonious, eliminating phlegm, making the Spleen and Stomach strong and Middle Qi smooth, naturally entering the realm of benevolence and longevity. Furthermore, Li Dongyuan pitied the premature deaths of the people; whenever treating disease, he first supported the Spleen and Stomach, an unalterable classic; Wang Andao revealed what previous sages had not, distinguishing "excess within insufficiency" in internal injury, truly obtaining secret transmission: all things return to Earth, tonifying the Spleen is better than tonifying the Kidney.
The *Daoyin Benjing* states: The Spleen resides among the five Zang organs, flourishing within the four seasons. The five flavors nourish it, and the five spirits become prominent because of it. [Text missing some characters] inability to taste, fatigue of the four limbs, fullness in the heart and abdomen, leading to vomiting and diarrhea, leading to intestinal rumbling, these are recorded in the *Neijing* and other books, clearly documented and verifiable. However, eating when not hungry labors the Spleen; drinking when not thirsty causes Stomach distension. Eating too much blocks Qi and vessels, causing heart blockage; eating too little causes emaciation and a hanging heart, with unstable thoughts. Eating filthy/turbid substances causes mental confusion and restlessness; eating unsuitable substances causes limb rebellion and triggers old diseases, none of which are ways of health preservation. Briefly speaking, eating must be timed, drinking must be measured, neither full nor hungry is correct. If one eats and drinks this way, not only will the Spleen and Stomach remain pure and clear, but the five Zang and six Fu organs will also be harmonized. Generally, food enters the mouth, goes from the Wei-wan (epigastrium) into the Stomach. Its flavor permeates the five Zang organs, its substance enters the Small Intestine to be transformed. At the lower opening of the Small Intestine, clear and turbid are separated: the turbid becomes dregs, entering the Large Intestine; the clear becomes fluid substances, entering the Bladder, the mansion of fluids. At the Bladder, clear and turbid are again separated: the turbid enters urine, the clear enters the Gallbladder, the Gallbladder introduces it to the Spleen, scattering it into the five Zang organs, becoming saliva, spittle, nasal mucus, tears, and sweat. Its flavor permeates the five Zang organs, becoming five types of sweat, returning together to the Spleen. The Spleen harmonizes and transforms blood, which returns to the Zang and Fu organs. The Classics state: When Spleen Earth is prosperous, it generates all things; when deficient, it generates hundred diseases. In the past, Su Dongpo regulated Spleen Earth, consuming no more than one cup of wine and one piece of meat. When invited to drink, he would pre-inform: First, be content to cultivate fortune; second, relax the Stomach to cultivate Qi; third, save expenses to cultivate wealth. Those good at health preservation nurture the interior; those bad at it nurture the exterior. Those who nurture the interior keep Zang organs tranquil and meridians smooth; those who nurture the exterior pursue the beauty of flavors and the joy of diet. Although their bodies may be plump, harsh energies internally erode the Zang and Fu organs.